1742Reputable sourceWell documented
Handel's Messiah
On the timeline · around 1742 · The Baroque
What happened
The German-born, London-based composer George Frideric Handel wrote his oratorio Messiah in a few weeks, and it premiered in Dublin in 1742. A sacred drama sung by soloists and chorus without staging, its 'Hallelujah' chorus became one of the most famous pieces of music in the world.
Why it matters
Messiah made the oratorio a beloved public form and has been performed continuously ever since, especially at Christmas and Easter — one of the few Baroque works never to have left the repertoire.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. George Frideric Handel · Reputable source